Strawberry plant named &#39;Zarina&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a new and distinct strawberry variety designated as ‘Zarina’ (105218).

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Fragaria×ananassa

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Zarina’ (a.k.a. ‘105218’)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct day-neutral strawberry variety designated as ‘Zarina’ (a.k.a. ‘105218’). This new variety is the result of a controlled-cross between a female parent cultivar designated ‘1007’ and a male parent cultivar designated ‘880’ (both unpatented, proprietary cultivars) made by the Inventor and was first fruited in Watsonville, Calif. growing fields.

Following selection and during testing, the plant was originally designated ‘105218’ and subsequently named ‘Zarina’. The new variety of ‘Bob’ was asexually reproduced via runners (stolons) by the inventor at Watsonville, Calif. Asexual propagules from the original source have been tested in Watsonville growing fields and to a limited extent, grower fields in high elevation. The properties of this variety were found to be transmissible by such asexual reproduction. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘Zarina’, but may be considered a weak day-neutral in that it is somewhat similar to a short day. It is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from March through October. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate day temperatures and evening chilling to maintain fruit quality for the production months.

The following traits in combination distinguish strawberry variety ‘Ginza’ from the known strawberry varieties. Plants for the botanical measurements in the present application were grown as annuals. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The produced fruit is attractive and of excellent quality. Produced fruit is pink-red to light-red at maturity, medium to large in size, firm, conical to cylindrical in shape with a smooth surface lacking creases. Seeds may be slightly sunken below the surface.

‘Zarina’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, characterized by foliage small to medium in size and medium green in color. Production generally begins in April and produces continually into October with 40% to 50% of its production in the months of August through September.

‘Zarina’ is different from strawberry variety ‘Bob’, a.k.a. ‘105626’ and strawberry variety ‘Ginza’, a.k.a. ‘102011’ disclosed in the co-pending applications. The table below shows differences among these varieties.

Variety ‘Bob’ ‘Ginza’ ‘Zarina’ Fruit Color at light-red to orange-red to pink-red to Maturity medium-red medium-red light-red Fruit Size medium to large uniformly medium to large medium in size Fruit Firmness very firm firm firm Fruit shape conical to conical to oblate conical to cylindrical cylindrical Surface Texture smooth, lacking smooth, lacking smooth, lacking creases creases creases Seed/Surface Seeds are slightly Seeds are well Seeds may be Position sunken below the above the surface slightly sunken surface below the surface

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs depict various characteristics of the ‘Zarina’ cultivar at various stages of development as nearly true as possible to make color reproductions.

FIG. 1 shows the plant in production stage, bearing fruit.

FIG. 2 shows the plant with flower and runners.

FIG. 3 shows typical leaves in the production cycle.

FIG. 4 shows ripe ‘Ginza’ fruit (June).

FIG. 5 shows ripe and near-ripe fruits.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral (ever-bearing) type cultivar designated as ‘Zarina’, but may be considered a weak day-neutral in that it is somewhat similar to a short day. ‘Zarina’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars and produces fruit regardless of the day length when treated appropriately in moderate, coastal climates. ‘Zarina's’ fruit is medium to large in size, that is relatively firm to very firm with its shape conical to cylindrical with seeds slightly sunken; color is light orange to medium red at maturity.

Among the characteristics that distinguish the new variety from the other closely related varieties are the timing of fruiting, plant vigor, position of the inflorescences, leaf morphology, leaf size, leaf density, leaf color, and disease and pest resistance.

‘Zarina’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions, and the phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment. The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describe this plant as grown at California, when grown in the field, unless otherwise noted. As stated above, the color determination is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants for the botanical measurements in the present application are annual plants.

-   Botanical classification: ‘Zarina’ is a fertile hybrid derived from     a cross. -   Common name: garden strawberry -   General description:     -   -   Plant habit.—moderate, coastal climates.         -   Flowering, fruiting and production characteristics.—as             typical of the species, the flowers are perfect, petals are             pure white and rounded and entire; and anthers and             receptacle are bright yellow. The calyx position is             generally centered with 7 to 9 sepals that are light to             medium green in color. The sepals are comprised of a single             layer. -   Foliar characteristics for ‘Zarina’: Plant Size is short to medium     in stature. The shape of the base is obtuse and light to medium in     density. Average Crown per mature plant is 3.66 with a range of 3-4.     Foliar color is medium to dark green on the adaxial surface of the     leaf. The abaxial surface of the leaf is silver-green and slightly     darker than most abaxial surfaces of strawberry leaves. No bract     leaves were observed in samples. The shape of the leaf is almost     circular with the width slightly exceeding the length. Each leaflet     has three leaves. The leaves are moderately too highly glossy. The     shapes of the leaves are slightly concave to almost flat. There is     minimal tertiary fruit grown from the variety. -   Flower and fruit characteristics for ‘Zarina’: The average number of     petals per flower is 5 with a range of 5-6 petals. Average petal     length is 9.4 mm with a range of 6-13 mm. The positioning of the     inflorescence is even with or above foliage. The flowers are mostly     medium small to medium in size. The plant produces mostly conical     fruit with some long cones as well as long wedges and the fruit     color is dull to light gloss. The fruit size is medium to large with     an average length of 50 mm, with a range of 31-79 mm, and width of     44 mm, with a range of 20-58 mm. The average length to width ratio     is about 1.21 with a range of .9-1.8. Seed position on fruit is     somewhat indented. The fruit hardness was measured with a force dial     and averaged 7.4 N to pierce the fruit 7.5 mm. The fruit's flavor is     consistently good or better than good throughout the season. -   Variety identification testing for ‘Zarina’: No matches to existing     cultivars were found using SSR marker testing in a commercial     database search. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant named ‘Zarina’ substantially as shown and described herein. 